One day Theresa Hamilton, a mother of 12, was struck by how hard it is to come by human dignity when you are down on your luck. For instance, you can't use Food Stamps to buy toilet paper or laundry soap.

So Theresa founded Giving The Basics — an organization that provides people with toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products and other human-dignity necessities.

Local businesses — including her husband's plumbing firm — are working with Theresa. At a recent Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park event, for instance, patrons donated 370 rolls of toilet paper.

Amie Logan works for Bob Hamilton's plumbing company. She listens to KCUR.

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This month we are collecting your stories about the good things Americans are doing to make their community a better place. Some of your contributions will become blog posts and the project will end with a story that weaves together submissions to make a story of Americans by Americans for Americans.